Collapsible Intermodal Container With Hinged Side-Panel Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency and environmental impact of transporting and storing empty intermodal containers, which contribute to significant logistical challenges and carbon emissions, are not adequately addressed by conventional solutions such as repositioning, leasing, and storage.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible intermodal container with a folding mechanism that reduces its volume by up to 75% when empty, maintaining compatibility with existing handling equipment and transport systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional rigid intermodal containers are used for transporting goods, then structural strength and durability are maintained, but volume efficiency deteriorates when containers are empty due to inability to reduce size
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs dynamic side panels that can transition between extended and retracted positions. The side panels are configured to extend outward from the container body during cargo transport to maintain full volume, and retract inward when empty to reduce volume for efficient repositioning. This dynamic transformation allows the container to adapt its volume based on cargo presence while maintaining structural integrity through locked positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into modular components including the container body, multiple side panels, and locking mechanisms. Each side panel can be independently extended or retracted, allowing selective volume adjustment. The segmentation enables the container to reduce volume by up to 75% when empty while maintaining full functionality when loaded.
2Adaptability or versatility
If empty containers are transported to balance trade flows, then container availability at destination ports is improved, but transportation cost and carbon emissions worsen due to unnecessary movement of empty containers
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible container enables dynamic volume adjustment based on cargo presence. When containers are empty and need repositioning to balance trade flows, they can be collapsed to occupy minimal space, allowing more containers to be transported in a single trip. This reduces the number of trips required and consequently lowers carbon emissions while maintaining container availability at destination ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The container's volume parameter can be changed from full capacity to a fraction of that capacity depending on cargo presence. This parameter change allows efficient packing of multiple empty containers during repositioning trips, reducing the total number of trips needed and associated carbon emissions while ensuring container availability where needed.
3Quantity of substance
If empty containers are stored at ports and depots, then container supply is maintained, but space utilization deteriorates due to large footprint of unused containers
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs dynamic side panels that can be retracted to a parallel position with the container body when empty. This transformation reduces the container's footprint from its full extended dimensions to a compact form factor, allowing significantly higher storage density at ports and depots while maintaining the same container quantity available for use.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The collapsible design enhances logistical efficiency and sustainability by minimizing space requirements and reducing carbon emissions associated with transporting empty containers.
Implementation Method 1
The side panels are configured to be arranged in a deployed position, where the side panels are extending perpendicularly to the roof/floor to define a volume for the container, or a stowed position where the side panels are folded parallel to the roof/floor
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible intermodal container comprising: a roof forming a top surface of the container; a floor forming a bottom surface of the container; a plurality of side panels hingedly attachable to both the roof and the floor, wherein each side panel of the plurality of side panels includes four corners; and a plurality of door panels hingedly attachable to either the roof or the floor. Each side panel of the plurality of side panels includes four locking mechanisms located at each corner. Each locking mechanism of the four locking mechanisms are configurable to be in a locked orientation to place each said side panel in a locked orientation and to be in an unlocked orientation to place each said side panel in a collapsible orientation.